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which always has a lot more than meets the eye going on under the
surface.Its likely the Hamilton Tiger-Cats wont know until Sunday if
theyll be hosting the rival Toronto Argonauts at Tim Hortons Field on
Labour Day.
Work continued at the facility Thursday as officials tested fire alarms
and sprinkler systems as the Ticats practised there for the second
straight day. However the City of Hamilton still hasnt signed off on the
$145-million facility with the Ticats and Argos scheduled to kick off
at 1 p.m. ET on Monday afternoon.
But Ticats chief executive officer Scott Mitchell remains undeterred,
saying hes very optimistic the contest will go ahead as scheduled and
expects the occupancy permit to be issued sometime between Friday and
Sunday.
"Theres two big hurdles to overcome," he said. "One is making sure the
game and all the things related to the stadium are functioning for
operational purposes . . . and I am thrilled we were able to announce
today its all systems go.
"The next hurdle now is moving into occupancy, permits and were getting
substantially positive news on the plan and issues that need to be
overcome. Theres going to need to be some work to be done in the next
couple of days and into Saturday and Sunday but from what were
understanding theres a great plan in place and things are looking very
positive for Monday."
Ed VanderWindt, the director of building services for the City of
Hamilton, said Thursday he expects it will be Sunday afternoon before a
partial occupancy permit can be issued. Thats the deadline for all the
handrails and guards in the building to be installed and they must be
inspected before the final paperwork can be completed, Theres also the
matter of gathering letters from all the engineers and architects
involved in the stadiums design to ensure all work has been done to
their specifications and provincial building codes.
The 24,500-seat stadium -- the site for the 2015 Pan Am Games soccer
competition -- was scheduled for completion June 30. However
construction delays forced the Ticats to play their first three home
games at McMaster University.
If Mondays game goes as scheduled, Mitchell said the seating capacity
will be around 18,000.
The Ticats have two contingency plans in place if the game cant be
played Monday. It would instead be staged Tuesday night, either at Tim
Hortons Field or Rogers Centre in Toronto.
Rogers Centre officials have said they needed to know by Thursday if the
game was being played there. But Mitchell felt with the Toronto Blue
Jays oppening a three-game series there with New York Yankees on Friday
night, that notification could be delivered early Friday and still
provide the facility with sufficient notice. Gerald McCoy Buccaneers Jersey.
"Rogers Centre has been great," Mitchell said. "We plan on keeping them
informed and clearly want to be fair and respectful to them as well."
However Mitchell said as crews continue working at Tim Hortons Field,
the need for backup plans is diminishing.
"Its less and less likely to occur," he said. "Were focused on one thing
and thats the game being played Monday and we feel great about the plan
thats in place.
"I am very optimistic."
Mitchell said one issue that remains is completion of the stadium
washrooms. Some partitions must still be installed but Mitchell added
theres no threat of a shortage come Monday.
"The good news is this facility actually has double the washrooms needed
to meet code," he said. "Even if 10 per cent of the partitions arent
in, it would still see us having well over the code of washrooms needed.
"Thats an example of where clearly a plan is in place."
While the stadium uncertainty has certainly been annoying for Ticats
fans, Mitchell said many will be surprised once they enter the facility.
"Once you get into the gate, once you get into the bowl, its a
spectacular facility," he said. "Were going to continue to improve upon
that, were going to continue to work with all the parties involved.
"But were just going to be thrilled with it if we get in there Monday. I
think its going to be an outstanding atmosphere."
The iconic contest has traditionally been the most important game of the
year for Hamilton football fans, a must-win contest against their
franchises most hated rival. And the Ticats have often delivered,
compiling a 29-15-1 Labour Day record against Toronto.
The two sides didnt meet on Labour Day last year due to scheduling
conflicts at both Rogers Centre and the University of Guelph --
Hamiltons temporary home in while Tim Hortons Field was being built. And
Mitchell said its important Ticats fans have the opportunity Monday to
create more memories in their new home.
"Thats why were all working so hard because this is the Labour Day
Classic," he said. "I think it will be a spectacular game for Ticats
fans, for our players, our league and I think its vital for us to be in
there for Labour Day."
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